Obama in St Paul today

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — President Barack Obama visits Minnesota to announce a new competition to encourage job creation and restoring infrastructure.

The White House says his visit to Union Depot in St. Paul on Wednesday is part of his "Year of Action."

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, who represents St. Paul, says Obama will use his visit to Union Depot to talk about the importance of investing in transit and infrastructure. She notes that the building had been deteriorating since train service ceased in the early 1970s. But the restored depot is now on its way toward becoming a regional transportation hub for buses, light rail and Amtrak.

Opponents of the Keystone XL oil pipeline plan to rally outside to urge Obama to reject the pipeline and the expanded use of Canadian tar sands oil.